From a behavioural perspective data-driven decision making enabled through tracking of online behaviour and communication may afford school organizations the ability to gain insight into behavioural intention. Traits common with Machiavellianism in online behaviour on social media websites lends itself to spying to increase the users repertoire of “advantageous” information to use. This study considers the potential student benefits attributed to tracking online behaviour and collection of “advantageous” information found online in schools including the development of leadership, citizenship and critical thinking, as well as enabling data-driven decision making and evidence-based psychology. Data and results from a two-year qualitative study provides insight into school administration and information technology staff experience with technology policies and the collection of student data.

The introduction of technology has lead to the increasing vulnerability for teachers who feel insecure about: the integration of technology into their classroom teaching; the surveillance of students online behaviour; or the engagement of students with less colorful paper and pencil activities that lack media animation. Four school districts participated in this study representing teachers, parents, administrators and IT staff from the provinces of British Columbia and Ontario. This paper presents data related to the expectations for teachers to conduct surveillance of student behaviour online during school hours. Results indicate a surveillance culture that encourages reporting of teacher behaviour by all other stakeholders (i.e. use of cellphone) and implicates teachers roles as changing from teaching to prison guards, monitoring all student activity and responsible for inappropriate use. In some cases, references to teachers as “not doing their job” imply a decrease in the respect for teachers previously warranted.

Qualitative data from a two-year study provides school administration and technology staff understandings and challenges with their use of surveillance in their role. School administration and technology staff offer their understandings of their need to conduct privacy impact assessments (PIA) when student personally identifiable data may be collected, stored or disseminated to 3rd parties. Connections between advancements of privacy in electronic health records and record keeping of student confidential information is discussed as it relates to storing of confidential data and the inappropriateness of an all-access pass for employees.